Red Lions aim for Final Four versus Blazers

San Beda guns for the first Final Four berth as it plays lowly St. Benilde today while Philippine Christian U tries to firm up its own semis bid against San Sebastian in the 82nd NCAA men’s basketball wars at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Coming off a stirring seven-game win streak, the Red Lions are heavily favored over the Blazers in a clash between the league’s joint leader and the cellar dweller at 2 p.m. San Beda shares the lead with Letran with 8-1 (win-loss) slates while St. Benilde trails the eight-team field with a woeful 1-8 card.

But facing a team with nothing to lose could be dangerous if the Lions drop their guard.

"It’s really tough when you face a team that plays without any pressure. We’re confident, but we can’t be overconfident because it might backfire on us. We have to continue working hard," said San Beda coach Koy Banal.

St. Benilde lost its seventh straight game the other day after bowing to PCU, 70-79.

San Beda will also welcome sophomore guard Rogemar Menor, who served a one-game suspension for an unsportsmanlike conduct in their game against the Bombers.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins try to stay within striking distance of the leaders as they shoot for their eighth victory against two defeats against the San Sebastian Stags at 4 p.m.

The Stags, however, are expected to come out fighting as they try to remain in the thick of the fight for one of the Final Four slots. San Sebastian is currently in fifth place with a 3-6, two games behind the fourth-running Mapua (5-4).